Ponders End's regeneration plan: shall I move there?

[Mammadidue]

Hello!
I am interested in a new built property in Ponders End. It is in a quiet street ( Gardiner Close). I currently live in Wood Green. I heard of the bad reputation of Ponders End, and when I visited the area I could see it is not particolarly nice. But I also saw lots of new residential building under construction, and I read that the council will demolish the tower blocks ( alma towers?). I can imagine that potentially the area could improve. I don't know the schools over there, but I could leave my kids in the catholic schools the currently attend in Wood Green, so that wouldn't be a problem. My concern is more about how safe the area is. Is there any advice you could give me? Between a 2 bedroom flat in Wood Green, and a 4 bedroom townhouse with garden in Ponders End, what would you chose? ( same price!) Thanks to all and apologies for the long post.

Hello, I know the area a bit, my brother used to live in Wood Green. To be honest Ponders End is definitely one of the rougher areas in North London, there is quite a lot of serious crime in the area but most of it connected to drug gangs etc. I don't think it is massively worse than Wood Green in terms of safety although the housing stock is less nice, and as a place to live I would have thought it would be OK providing you don't mind it looking a bit rough around the edges. Although I personally wouldn't want my kids wandering round alone particularly at night, you don't say what ages the kids are and whether they'll soon want to start going round their friends houses or to meet up in the park (after Covid of course!), I guess you don't want to be anxious every time they go out?

I don't know exactly what's happening with the regeneration but from experience it takes a good few years for the improved appearance on the surface to translate into genuine improvements to things like the crime rate and new businesses etc moving in and making a real difference to the local area.

Also how much would you (and kids) miss having the tube and the amenities of Wood Green right on your doorstep? Zone 3 piccadilly line is a real bonus, the trains from Ponders End/Southbury will be less frequent and less flexible in terms of the lines you can change to, and while you have all the big shops along/around the A10 (B&Q etc and the big asda and the odeon at the leisure complex), it wouldn't replace the convenience of everything you have in Wood Green.... but if you aren't regularly going into central London then less of a big deal and I guess if the kids are at school in Wood Green you'll be in the area regularly so no big deal... obviously having 2 or more kids in a 2 bed flat is going to be tricky so I can totally get your desire for more space.

Thanks for your reply.My kids are 10 and 5, both in primary school at the moment ( the big currently in year 5). I work in central London, and my husband would gives a ride to Wood Green every morning, and then collect the kids. Excelt two days per week, in which I should take the train with the kids. Is it worth? I don't know, the house is so beautiful😔😔 My kids wouldn't go out at night thrre, at any age, but yes, Wood Green spoiled us, everything is there! I need to think about it tonight and tomorrow tell them my decision.